The Lady of Justice statue head outside Newark federal court in this 2012 file photo. Hiver Ambroise, a political consultant, was sentenced to probation in federal court today for failing to file tax returns from 2008 to 2010.
Christopher P. Collins/ The Star-Ledger

NEWARK — A political consultant who admitted to failing to file tax returns from 2008 to 2010 was sentenced to two years probation in federal court today.

Hiver Ambroise, who pleaded guilty to not filing taxes in September, must complete 12 months of home confinement during his two-year probation, said a spokesman for U.S. Attorney Paul Fishman.

Officials said Ambroise withheld $80,000 to $200,000 in tax money from the government.

Ambroise, who appeared in the award-winning 2005 documentary, "Street Fight," was a Democratic consultant to Union County-based political and election committees in 2008 and 2009, making $144,000 one year, $109,000 the next.

At one time, Ambroise worked as the chief of staff for state Sen. Raymond Lesniak (D-Union) and was listed on 2010 payroll records for Empower Newark, a political action committee with close ties to Newark Mayor Cory Booker.

The Elizabeth man also worked as a consultant for the Union County Democratic Committee; the Democratic State Committee of New Jersey; the Hillside Democratic Campaign Committee and an election committee for the Union County Freeholders based in Hillside, according to questions the prosecutor posed in court during his plea last year.

Star-Ledger staff writers Jason Grant and David Giambusso contributed to this report.